Dear Friends:

Here is the news of the week:

• Hear ye, hear ye:  All are invited for wonderful morning of prayer, conversation, food, and fun as we share ideas about who we are as a congregation and where God is calling us.  This Saturday,  9am-12 noon. Breakfast will be served at 8:30am.  
• United Thank Offering/Last Sunday Offering for May to be collected this Sunday.  Please remember your blue and white boxes.
• A Message from Maggie Breen, North East Regional Missionary
  The North East Region Leadership Team is seeking to fill 4 spots—three lay people and 1 clergy representing 4 different parishes. The Leadership Team meets once a month on a date/time/place that works best for the group.  As a member of the leadership team, you would be expected to help plan Convocations each year and help with planning the annual convention as needed. Currently parishes represented on the leadership team are:  St. Georges, Bolton, St. Peter’s, South Windsor, Trinity Brooklyn, Christ Church, Pomfret, and St. John’s, Vernon.
• Did you miss the opportunity to sign up for serving on the Altar Guild?  There is still time.  Sue DeWolf and Gale Morrow will do the training this Sunday following the 10am service. Please consider serving St. Mark’s this way.
• Vacation Bible School    July 29-August 2    9am-12:30pm
  Once again, St. Mark’s is partnering with Storrs Congregational Church to offer kids an opportunity to engage with the Bible through music, song, and imagination. Vacation Bible School is free, and open to the first 50 children, ages 4-11  from our congregations who register.  Registration details coming soon.
  
  

Best wishes, Linda

The audio cuts for St. Mark's Chapel's 10 am 5th Sunday of Easter service on 05-19-19. An interesting thing happened during the sermon. Rev. Brian asked for a show of hands of those in the congregation who came from other faiths. All of the 30 or so raised their hands! Rev. Brian was the only one who was raised an Episcopalian.

Recorded tracks:

Greeting, Announcements (Rev. Brian Blayer)

1st Reading:  Acts 11:1-18 (Laurie Gypson)

2nd Reading:  Revelation 21:1-6(Laurie Gypson)

Gospel: John 13:31-35 (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

The audio cuts for St. Mark's Chapel's 10 am 4th Sunday of Easter service on 05-12-19. Today was Mothers Day, and Rev. Brian managed to blend this holiday with the Gospel message of Jesus as the shepherd.
My apologies for the delay. I was dealing with several technical problems that decided to rear their ugly heads.

Recorded tracks:

Greeting, Announcements (Rev. Brian Blayer)

1st Reading:  Acts 9:36-43 (Anne Flamming)

2nd Reading:  Revelation 7:9-17(Anne Flamming)

Gospel: John 10:22-30 (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Dear Friends:

Here is the news of the week:

• Hear ye, hear ye:  All are invited for wonderful morning of prayer, conversation, food, and fun as we share ideas about who we are as a congregation and where God is calling us.  Saturday, May 25 9am-12 noon. Breakfast will be served at 8:30am.  
• Did you get a UTO box last Sunday?  Extras are available on the table in Goodwin Hall.  Through the United Thank Offering, men, women and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God.  These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings.  Those who participate in the UTO have discovered that thankfulness leads to generosity.  UTO combines these generous offerings to fund significant projects that make a real difference in the work of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion and a real difference in people’s lives.  Boxes will be collected on May 26 and are the Last Sunday Offering for May. 
• Prayers of the People—It is a wonderful practice in the Episcopal Church to pray each week for those we love or may have died.  Thank you to those who have let us know your prayer requests.  Please continue to update the list with the office on a weekly basis.
• Did you notice how lovely and refreshed the church landscaping looks?  Many thanks to Sue Gagnon for bringing in a crew to do spring cleanup, weed and mulch the beds around the building. 
• Thank you to everyone who made the St. Mark's Day Picnic and Ministry Fair a big success!  And thank you to those who signed up to participate in the various ministries.  Delighted to have so many new volunteers!
• Oh boy, Oh boy!  It is a boy for Wei Zhang and John Bovay. Welcome to baby Matthew!
• UConn graduation is this Sunday!  Congratulations to all graduates and their families.  It is a day to celebrate.  However, it may impact getting to St. Mark's.  Please plan accordingly.Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, aunts and  and important women in your life.  It takes a village. 

Best wishes, Linda

The audio cuts for St. Mark's Chapel's 10 am Feast of St. Mark service on 05-05-19. 

Recorded tracks:

Greeting, Announcements (Rev. Brian Blayer)

1st Reading:  Isaiah 52:7-10 (Mark Healey)

2nd Reading:  Ephesians 4:7-8,11-16 (Mark Healey)

Gospel: Mark 1:1-15 (Rev. Brian Blayer)  

Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Dear Friends:

Here is the news of the week:

• Last night's Organ Concert was delightful and many thanks to  everyone who made it a memorable evening--especially to Kathy and David Pepin who housed Clara one evening and Sue and Bill Cook who hosted the reception.  And cheers to Charlie Houmard for guiding the Organ Concert Series.  The next concert will be on September 20 with Christa Rakich from St. John's West Hartford, performing.
• Love organ music?  Tomorrow is the day. The First Friday Recital for May is “Bach or Not” Eight Preludes and Fugues,  formerly attributed to J. S. Bach. Enjoy this lively collection of pieces that are favorites amongst organists and audiences.  Whether or not they were composed by Bach does not negate their charm. Bring your lunch and a friend, come and go as you please.  Please note that this will be the last First Friday recital until September 6.
• It is Party Time!  Even if the weather does not cooperate for a BBQ this Sunday.  Please bring a food item to share.  And check out the tables at the Ministry Fair to learn more about the many ministries at St. Mark's.  All this excitement follows the 10am service.
• In the Sunday bulletin this week, you will find a United Thank Offering (UTO) box to collect coins for the blessings of daily living.  Those who participate in the UTO find that thankfulness leads to generosity.  Boxes will be collected on Sunday, May 26.  UTO is the Last Sunday Offering for May.
• Hear ye, hear ye:  All are invited for wonderful morning of prayer, conversation, food, and fun as we share ideas about who we are as a congregation and where God is calling us.  Saturday, May 25 9am-12 noon. Breakfast will be served at 8:30am.  
• Congratulations and best wishes to Mengyu Hu and Jared Henderson as they celebrate their wedding this Saturday.  
• Future Dates:   Vacation Bible School  dates have been announced--July 29-August 2 from 9-12:30 at Storrs Congregational Church.  Registration information will be available soon.   Calling all cyclists:  the 2019 WAIM Steeplechase Bike Tour will be on Saturday, August 17.  For more information: steeplechasebiketour.org

Best wishes, Linda

The audio cuts for St. Mark's Chapel's 10 am 2nd Sunday of Easter service on 04-28-19. Today’s service was our monthly family service for which the Sunday School pupils exercise many of the ministerial roles.

Recorded tracks:

Greeting, Announcements (Rev. Brian Blayer)

1st Reading:  Acts 5:27-32 (Lydia Wilderman)
Psalm:  Psalm 150 (Lydia Wilderman)
2nd Reading:  Acts 10:34-43 (Lucas Anderson)

Gospel: John 20:19-31 (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Dear Friends:

Here is the news of the week:

• Mark your calendars--Wednesday, May 1 is the next Brombaugh Organ Restoration Series concert, featuring Clara Gerdes, a soon to be graduate of the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia.  Clara will perform works by Bruhns, Bach, Prokovfiev and Peeters.  A wine and cheese reception will follow.  Please join us!
• More organ music news--The First Friday Recital for May is “Bach or Not”
  Eight Preludes and Fugues, formerly attributed to J. S. Bach. Enjoy this lively collection of pieces that are favorites amongst organists and audiences. Whether or not they were composed by Bach does not negate their charm.Bring your lunch and a friend, come and go as you please.  Please note that this will be the last First Friday recital until September 6.
• The Last Sunday Offering for April will go to Heifer International. Heifer works with communities to end world hunger and poverty and care for the Earth. They believe that the collective power of economic development, food security and nutrition, and environmental sustainability can empower small-scale farmers on the path to living incomes. Thank you for your generosity.
• It is time to celebrate!  St. Mark's Day will be on May 5 at 10am.  Liturgy on the lawn, BBQ, Ministry Fair and games.  Have you used the link to signup genius to let your Vestry know what you plan to bring or if you have a grill to lend?  Please sign up today! And we will be celebrating all grads!  
                       https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D4FAAA82DA57-stmarks1
• One more celebration in the St. Mark's family--the wedding of Jared Henderson and Mengyu Hu here on Saturday, May 4. All best wishes to both Jared and Mengyu as they begin a life long journey together. 
• This Sunday is a Family Service.  In May, Sunday School students will be learning about Social Justice and will be off site for the first two Sundays.  On May 5, they will go to the Dodd Center for a conversation on Human Rights around the world followed by a tour of the US Geological Survey offices, hosted by Fred Day-Lewis, on May 12.  
• Join the Conversation!  On Saturday, May 25 from 9-12 noon, you are invited to participate in a workshop to envision the future mission and goals of St. Mark's and how to invite people into this wonderfully warm and welcoming community.  The workshop will be lead by the Revs. Tanya Wallace and Jane Hale, warden Madison Day and Rev. Brian. 
• Many thanks to so many Sunday Ministers for all they did to make Holy Week and Easter so meaningful and celebratory.   The Altar Guild and their helpers worked tirelessly to meet the requirements of so many services. Readers read a lot of Bible verses, intercessors led prayers, ushers welcomed parishioners and visitors, the Eucharistic Ministers served, Charlie and the musicians brought joy and Melissa folded a lot of bulletins.  And so many made donations to the Easter flowers.  Thank you all!! 

Best wishes, Linda

The audio cuts for St. Mark's Chapel's 10 am Easter Sunday.service on 04-21-19, 

Recorded tracks:

Greeting, Announcements (Rev. Brian Blayer)
​
1st Reading:  Isaiah 65:17-25 (Anne Flamming)

2nd Reading:  Acts 10:34-43 (Anne Flamming)

Gospel: John 20:1-18 (Rev. Brian Blayer)  

Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Communion Anthem: The Morning Trumpet (Robert Wetzler)

Dear Friends:

Happy Holy Week!  It is busy!

• Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper when Jesus shared the Passover meal    with his disciples on the night before he was crucified.  Tonight's service begins at 7pm.
• Tomorrow is Good Friday and there will be services at both 12 noon and 7pm.  Readers are  needed for both services.   Please let the office know today if you can read.
• On Saturday the Altar Guild will be decorating the church for Easter with flowers galore.  You are invited to Morning Prayer at 9am.  The Great Vigil of Easter will be at 7pm Saturday evening.  Readers are still needed for this service.  Again please let the office know if you wish to read.
•  Easter Sunday services will be at 8am and 10am. A joyful day it will be.  
•  Wednesday, May 1 is the next concert in the Brombaugh Reatoration Concert Series (and the last one until autumn).  Clara Gerdes will play works by Bach, Bruhn, Brahms, Prokofiev and Peeters.  Wine and cheese reception to follow.  Please invite a friend.  Donation at the door of $20 and $3 for students helps support the organ maintenance fund at St. Mark's.
• Celebrating St. Mark’s Day--Sunday, May 5
  Save the date!  Exciting plans are evolving for a celebration of St. Mark and St. Mark’s. Following the 10am service, there will be a Ministry Fair and BBQ on the front lawn (weather permitting).  Food, fun, fellowship—your Vestry is planning a fun event for all. Your help is needed to make it happen.  Please let them know how you can help—food (Madison Day), set up/clean up (Bill Cook), games  (Steve Paasch), and Ministry Fair (Madison Day).  You can sign up using this link:        
   https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D4FAAA82DA57-stmarks1 
• Quarterly statements will be available for pick up in the Narthex on Sunday.

Best wishes, Linda

Dear Friends:

Tomorrow evening, Wednesday, April 17,  there will be a Liturgy of Healing and Reconciliation at St. Mark's beginning at 6PM. 

From the three Episcopal Questions, Episcopal Answers evening discussions, came the idea for the Healing and Reconciliation service.  As food was shared on those occasions, we invite people to bring a dish to share during the first part of the service where people can share their stories and allow others to be heard as well. Then  the evening will continue with a Eucharist in the Chapel.  

If you plan to attend, please RSVP to the office.

Thank you. 

Linda
Linda Austin-Small
Parish Administrator
St. Mark's Episcopal Chapel
42 N. Eagleville Rd.
Storrs, CT 06268
W: 860-429-2647
admin@stmarkschapel.org

Dear Friends:

Here is the latest news of the week:

• If the weather is cooperative, this Sunday's 10am service, Palm Sunday, will begin outside on the front lawn.  If it is raining, the procession will start in Goodwin Hall. Sadly there will be no donkey.
• With eight services (and seven bulletins) Holy Week could not happen without the help of many volunteers serving this week at St. Mark’s.  Please volunteer to read part of the Passion on Good Friday at either 12 noon or 7pm.  Readers are also needed for the Great Vigil of Easter.  
• Also needed:  an usher and an intercessor at the 10am service this Sunday.  Due to the public school vacation falling in Holy Week, many of the regular Sunday Ministers are away.  
• Monday is the last day to donate to the Easter Flowers.  Please find a blue form on the table in Goodwin Hall.  You can list names of people you wish remembered or for thanksgivings and blessings in your life.   
• A message from The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church:  The Good Friday Offering is one way to help connect the love of Christ on the cross with our support of the ongoing ministry of love and compassion carried out by our Anglican sisters and brothers throughout the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East.  Thank you for your generosity.
• A Service of Healing and Reconciliation  Wednesday, April 17th  6- 8pm  Behold I make all things new…..In Jesus Christ we all find a way to start again.  Sadly, even religion can hurt us from time to time and as people of faith we hope we can start again.  On April 17, all are invited to a liturgy of healing and reconciliation to invite the Good Shepherd to heal the hurts religion has caused in our lives. We will begin at 6PM with an opportunity to share our stories and allow others to be heard as well.  Then we continue with a Eucharist for Healing in the Chapel. Lent is a time to clear the way for a joyous Easter.  What better way than to offer our pain and disappointment to God and enter once again into the mysteries of our faith. We will begin at 6PM with an opportunity to share our stories and allow others to be heard as well.  Then we continue with a Eucharist for Healing in the Chapel. Lent is a time to clear the way for a joyous Easter.  What better way than to offer our pain and disappointment to God and enter once again into the mysteries of our faith.
• The next concert of the Brombaugh Restoration Concert Series is on Wednesday, May 1 at 7pm.  Clara Gerdes, a soon to be graduate of the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia will perform works by Bruhns, Brahms, Prokovfiev, Bach, and Peeters. A wine and cheese reception will follow.  Suggested donation is $20 or $3 for students and helps support the organ maintenance fund at St. Mark's.
• Celebrating St. Mark’s Day—Sunday, May 5.
  Save the date!  Exciting plans are evolving for a celebration of St. Mark and St. Mark’s. Following the 10am service, there will be a Ministry Fair and BBQ on the front lawn (weather permitting).  Food, fun, fellowship--your Vestry is planning a fun event for all. Your help is needed to make it happen.  Please let them know how you can help—food (Madison Day), set up/clean up (Bill Cook), games  (Steve Paasch), and Ministry Fair (Madison Day).  You can sign up using this link:        
  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D4FAAA82DA57-stmarks1
• WAIM needs dock workers!  For the first time in a long time, WAIM has closed its loading dock and is not accepting donations. The WAIM dock accepts donations Tuesday-Saturday from 9-12 noon. Please help WAIM keep its Material Goods Program functioning.  

Best wishes, Linda

Dear Friends:

Palm Sunday and Holy Week are almost here!  Bulletins are nearly  complete but we are missing one thing.  YOU!  Readers are needed for both Palm Sunday services (The Passion according to Luke) and for both services on Good Friday (The Passion according to John).  Scripts will be available in your bulletin.  There 

Please consider reading a role or two--they will be assigned.  Please let the office know your availability.

Thanks, Linda
​

The audio cuts for St. Mark's Chapel's 10 am Eucharistic service on 04-07-19, the 5th Sunday in Lent.

Recorded tracks:

Greeting, Announcements (Rev. Brian Blayer)

1st Reading:  Isaiah 43:16-21 (Mark Healey)

2nd Reading:  Philippians 3:4b-14 (Mark Healey)

Gospel: John 12:1-8 (Rev. Brian Blayer)  

Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Dear Friends:

Here is the news of the week:

• First Friday Organ Recital today, April 5, at  12 noon: 
  Charlie has planned a special “Lenten Edition” for the First Friday Organ Recital  The event will be a true Lenten Meditation, with music chosen to reflect the liturgical season.  Hymns and Chorales from three great musical traditions will comprise the program: Lutheran Chorales, American Hymns and Anglican Anthems. 
  You may light a candle to reflect on the season and bring a lunch and a friend as always.  I do not plan to speak throughout the meditation although I am always happy to answer questions about the music and organ after the performance.  I will also provide information on our upcoming recitalist, Clara Gerdes, who will visit St. Mark’s on May 1st for an exciting concert.
• WAIM workday this Saturday from 9am-12noon. 
  Meet at WAIM in Willimantic.  And WAIM also has a community garden supplying vegetables to Covenant Soup Kitchen that needs volunteers on Saturday morning. Check out WAIM's website for more information about volunteering at the Community Garden.
• Needed:  Readers for the Passion Gospel 
  At both services on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, the reading of the Passion is part of the liturgy.  Several readers are needed for each service.  Please let the office know if you wish to read and a part will be assigned. 
• A Service of Healing and Reconciliation  Wednesday, April 17th    6-8PM
  "Behold I make all things new….". In Jesus Christ we all find a way to start again.  Sadly, even religion can hurt us from time to time and as people of faith we hope we can start again.  On April 17, all are invited to a liturgy of healing and reconciliation to invite the Good Shepherd to heal the hurts religion has caused in our lives. We will begin at 6PM with an opportunity to share our stories and allow others to be heard as well.  Then we continue with a Eucharist for Healing in the Chapel. Lent is a time to clear the way for a joyous Easter.  What better way than to offer our pain and disappointment to God and enter once again into the mysteries of our faith. We will begin at 6PM with an opportunity to share our stories and allow others to be heard as well.  Then we continue with a Eucharist for Healing in the Chapel. Lent is a time to clear the way for a joyous Easter.  What better way than to offer our pain and disappointment to God and enter once again into the mysteries of our faith. 

• Good Friday Offering:  
  A message from The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church:  The Good Friday Offering is one way to help connect the love of Christ on the cross with our support of the ongoing ministry of love and compassion carried out by our Anglican sisters and brothers throughout the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East.  Thank you for your generosity.

• The next concert of the Brombaugh Restoration Concert Series is on Wednesday, May 1 at 7pm. 
  Clara Gerdes, a soon to be graduate of the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia will perform works by Bruhns, Brahms, Prokovfiev, Bach, and Peeters. A wine and cheese reception will follow.  Suggested donation is $20 or $3 for students and helps support the organ maintenance fund at St. Mark's.
• A Thank You to those who knit: 
  This note was received from a recipient of a prayer shawl:  "It’s beautiful, so pretty and very warm.   I am so grateful to be held in prayer by the Prayer Ministry of your church and by the generous person who knit my shawl.  I’m about to start chemo therapy and will enjoy having the shawl to keep me warm and to think about all who have prayed for me.  I feel so grateful for having so many caring people thinking of me.  May God Bless all the people at St. Mark’s." 

Best wishes, Linda                         

The audio cuts for St. Mark's Chapel's 10 am family service on 03-24-19, the 4th Sunday in Lent. Both readers are Sunday School students.:

Recorded tracks:

Greeting, Announcements (Rev. Brian Blayer)

1st Reading:  Joshua 5:9-12 (Lucas Anderson)

Psalm:  Psalm 32 (Ethan Hanzlik)

2nd Reading:  2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (Lucas Anderson)

Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 (Rev. Brian Blayer)  

Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Dear Friends:

Here is the news of the week:

• Last Sunday Offering for March
    The Last Sunday Offering for March, collected on Sunday is dedicated to the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic which provides food and access to basic services in an environment of care, love, support and safety to those individuals and families from the greater Windham community.   Thank you for your generosity.
• First Friday Noon Organ Recital
    The next First Friday Organ Recital will be on April 5  (The date in your Sunday bulletin is incorrect.)   Charlie Houmard invites you to bring a sandwich and a friend.
•  WAIM Work Day, April 6
     The biannual work day at WAIM is fast approaching. This is wonderful opportunity for families to work together and uplift members of local communities who need the support of WAIM for many basic items. Plan to meet at WAIM in Willimantic about 9am.  If you have any questions, please speak with Rev. Brian.
• Needed:  Readers for the Passion Gospel
    At both services on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, the reading of the Passion is part of the liturgy.  Several readers are needed for each service.  Please let the office know if you wish to read and a part will be assigned.
•  Easter Flowers
    At Easter, St. Mark’s is beautifully decorated in celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Tulips, daffodils and other spring flowers transform the church to celebrate this glorious morning. Donations toward the purchase of Easter flowers may be made in memory of departed friends and loved ones as well as in thanksgiving for special persons, events or occasions important to you.  Please return the blue form in the  bulletin to the office no later than Monday, April 15.
• Spring Training and Gathering in Berlin   Saturday, April 27   9AM-4PM
  Join other Episcopalians from across Connecticut for a day of fellowship, learning, prayer and fun.  All are welcome—from people in the pews and vestry members to parish leaders and staff.  There will be more than 35 workshops offered.  Lunch provided.  Please ask Linda to register you.
• Married 50 years or more?
  The Episcopal Church in Connecticut wants to celebrate this milestone with you and other Episcopalians.  There will be a celebration on May 19th at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford for all couples who reach this milestone in 2019.  Same sex couples who have been together for at least 50 years and are now married are also invited.  Please let the church office know if you would like an invitation to attend. 

Best wishes, Linda

Dear Friends:

The new Sunday Minister Schedule is being finalized but services for Palm Sunday and Holy Week will need more than the usual about of readers and servers.

Can you help?  Please let the office know.
 

• Palm Sunday and the reading of the Passion needs several readers at each service.
• Good Friday,  12 noon and 7pm, the Passion will again be read and  readers are needed. 
• Easter Vigil on Saturday at 7pm needs a thurifer and readers.  

And another call for volunteers:  the Sunday Campus Communion needs  cooks for the dinner following the 5pm service.  A simple supper is a wonderful way to connect with students and is a vital part of St. Mark's campus ministry.  About 12 people are in attendance. 

Best wishes, Linda